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This Monday, See the Supermoon-Blue Moon Mashup That Won't Come Around Again for 13 Years
You don't want to miss this spectacular sight.
Rare "Super Blue" Moon Lights Up the Night Sky This Week—Here's When to Look
Since becoming a freelance writer in 2019, Emily has developed significant experience covering viral pop culture moments and trending news topics in the health and wellness space, while also writing about mental health, relationships, and smarter living. She joined Best Life in 2023 as a news contributor, writing for the brand’s travel, wellness, and entertainment verticals.
When Emily isn’t breaking down the latest news about Costco or the best travel hacks, she’s running Scary Mommy Book Club. As a contributing book club editor, she manages the club’s social media platforms, writes original book-related stories, and conducts interviews with authors.
A proud Iowa alum, Emily’s work has been featured on PEOPLE, Better Homes & Gardens, Real Simple, POPSUGAR, HelloGiggles, Scary Mommy, and more.
On paper, a full moon in the night sky may seem like anything to write home about. After all, full moons occur about every 29 days and are easier to spot in the sky than other lunar phases like a new moon. However, August’s full moon will be one for the record books because it also happens to be the third of four full moons this season. And its alignment with Earth, in conjunction with it being the third full moon of summer, means it will be bigger and brighter than ever. So, before grab your binoculars—here’s everything you need to know about the rare supermoon-blue moon mashup.
August’s full moon will appear Sunday morning and last through early Wednesday morning, according to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). However, Monday, Aug. 19, is when the full moon will also be considered a supermoon and blue moon.
Starting to get a little confused? Let’s break it down even further.
A supermoon happens when a full moon is at or near its closest point to Earth. This is called a “perigee,” while an “apogee” is when the moon is at its farthest from Earth, per NASA. When the moon hits the perigee stage, it can appear up to 14 percent bigger than at apogee. NASA reports that about 25 percent of full moons become supermoons.
Meanwhile, a seasonal blue moon is the third full moon in a season with four full moons. While they aren’t uncommon, blue moons don’t happen frequently—about every two to three years, says NASA. (Hence the phrase "once in a blue moon.")
On the other hand, super blue moons are even more scarce, occurring every 10 to 20 years.
Despite its colorful nickname, blue moons don’t typically have a blue-ish hue.
“On rare occasions, tiny particles in the air―typically of smoke or dust―can scatter away red wavelengths of light, causing the Moon to appear blue,” explains the space agency.
Put supermoons and blue moons together thi, and you get to see an unusual phenomenon that won't happen again until January or March 2037.
The super blue moon will reach its peak on Monday, Aug. 19, at 2:26 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST). However, stargazers will have to wait until after sunset to grasp the gravity of the moon’s brightness and size.
The good news is you won’t need binoculars to witness the super blue moon. On any average night, the moon resembles the size of a nickel, but a super blue moon will resemble the size of a quarter. Of course, stargazing in areas that aren’t populated with high-rise buildings, bright city lights, and tall trees will improve your viewing experience.
Flu season is right around the corner, but health experts are still concerned about a potential COVID outbreak, which is becoming a very real possibility as new data is released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Throughout the summer, COVID cases have been steadily on the rise, and officials have issued a stark reminder for Americans to get the updated 2024-2025 vaccine stat. And now, as travelers jet off for their final summer holiday, doctors say you may want to slip a COVID mask into your bag.
According to a new CDC data report, the JN.1 variant remained the dominant variant between July 21 and Aug. 3, 2024. This includes strains KP.1.1, KP.2, and KP.3, which experts have come to call “FLiRT” for short. The rate of positive COVID tests in the U.S. is also climbing, but the CDC is trying to get ahead of a potential nationwide epidemic by testing wastewater (AKA sewage) for traces of the infectious disease in every state. This helps experts determine whether COVID is on the rise or decline in communities.
As of Aug. 6, COVID-19 infections are “growing” in California, Washington, Arizona, Montana, North Dakota, Kansas, Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, Ohio, West Virginia, Virginia, Massachusetts, Vermont, and New Hampshire, per a CDC report. Meanwhile, cases are declining in Nevada, Hawaii, and Connecticut.
So, what does this mean for your summer travel plans? While there’s no current travel mandate, health experts suggest packing a few extra COVID masks for protection.
“Maintain situational awareness,” Ziyad Al-Aly, MD, the chief of research and development at the Veterans Affairs St. Louis Healthcare System in Missouri, told The New York Times.
In other words, if you’re boarding a full plane or touring a crowded indoor museum with poor air circulation, it might be smart to whip out a COVID mask. While cloth masks are better than wearing no mask at all, N95, KN95, and KF94 are the gold standard because they’re “designed to filter at least 95 percent of airborne particles,” per the L.A. County Department of Public Health.
Additionally, if your seatmate is coughing or seems to be feeling under the weather, it may benefit you to slip on a COVID mask out of caution. “It does not eliminate the risk, but it substantially reduces the risk of exposure,” said Al-Aly.
And the same goes if you’re feeling sick, too. “If you have symptoms and you have any question about it, I would wear a mask, just to protect other people,” Marc Sala, MD, a co-director of the Northwestern Medicine Comprehensive Covid-19 Center in Chicago, told the NYT.
Typical COVID symptoms include body chills, headaches, nausea, labored breathing, fatigue, and gastrointestinal issues like diarrhea. With the FLiRT variants, health experts warn that an irritated, scratchy throat is the most common tell-tale sign.
"Unfortunately one of the most common COVID symptoms currently seems to be a sore throat with or without a mild fever. I say unfortunately because—of course—a sore throat can be attributed to many different causes," infectious disease specialist Andreas M. Kogelnik, MD, PhD, said in an interview with Parade earlier this summer.
Right now, travelers aren’t required to wear COVID masks on planes, trains, or cruises. However, depending on where you’re traveling, health screenings may be required. Nevertheless, COVID masks don’t take up a lot of packing space, and you’ll be thankful should you need it.
When it comes to taking care of your body, one of the most important things you can do is follow a healthy diet. That's partly because your gut health—or having a healthy gut microbiome—has far-reaching implications for your overall health. Though scientists first discovered the microbiome long ago in the 1840s, recent leaps in research have begun to lay bare the many ways that gut bacteria affect your organs and help to stave off illness. In addition to following a nutritious diet, supplements that promote good gut health can help you reap these benefits, experts say.
Of course, the supplement market is flooded with cure-all claims that don't always hold up under scrutiny. In other words, not all products touted for their gut-boosting benefits are worth the investment. Wondering which ones doctors actually recommend? These are the seven best gut health supplements.
Tending to your gut health won't just reduce your risk of gastrointestinal problems—it can also have a profound impact on your broader health. In fact, research is increasingly demonstrating that gut health can impact every organ in the human body.
"Hippocrates said look to the gut, for it is the cause of all disease. Like a tree, the gut is the root system of the body, and if the root system is loaded with toxins, inflammation, and stealth pathogens, you cannot be healthy," says Daryl Gioffre, DC, CN, a chiropractor, certified nutritionist and gut health expert at Alkamind.
"In your gut, you have [up to] five pounds of bacteria, yeasts, and other organisms that make up the microbiome," adds Katherine Maslen, ND, a naturopathic doctor, nutritionist, gut health expert, and host of The Shift podcast. "What we know from research is that gut health, and in particular the health of the microbiome, is one of the most important factors in disease prevention—in fact, poor microbial diversity is associated with just about every chronic disease."
Having poor gut health or an imbalanced gut microbiome (dysbiosis) has been linked to cancer, cardiovascular disease, gastrointestinal disorders, type 2 diabetes, and more.
Maslen notes that one reason for this is that when the gut is damaged or dysfunctional, it impairs your ability to digest and absorb nutrients.
"Since nutrition is vital for every process in the body, this leads to imbalance and can leave you more susceptible to disease," she explains. "For example, if stomach acid is low—which can happen due to stress—then your ability to digest and absorb minerals like iron, zinc, and magnesium is impaired. You need both zinc and iron for immune function, so this can then lead to a weakened immune response."
Before you consider supplementation, it's important to work on laying a healthy foundation through your food habits first. "You can't supplement your way out of a bad diet," points out Gioffre.
Your biggest priority should be to increase your fiber intake, which tends to be lacking in the average American diet, Maslen says.
"Think of it as [if] you're eating for two: You need the nutrients for yourself and the fiber to feed your microbes," she explains. "Processed foods contain little to no fiber, and most Americans aren't eating enough plant products. Aiming for a diet that is at least 50 percent plants—fruit, vegetables, whole grains (brown rice, oats, and quinoa are strong choices), nuts, seeds, and legumes will ensure you're getting what your gut needs," she says.
Another important dietary addition is probiotic foods like yogurt, miso, sauerkraut, kimchi, kefir, and kombucha, all of which Maslen says will support healthy gut flora. "Including apple cider vinegar in some water can also help to promote stomach acid and enzyme production," she adds.
Once your diet is sound, you can ask your doctor if supplementation might offer additional benefits.
"There are so many supplements for gut health, so it's best to see a qualified physician that works with gut health, especially if you have major issues going on," says Maslen.
Though different people may have different needs, these are some of the safest and most well-researched options.
1. Probiotics
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Gioffre says that probiotics are the "number one" supplement to take if you're hoping to improve your gut health. He commonly recommends spore-based probiotics, which have a "protective shell" and are designed to withstand your stomach's highly acidic environment. "The digestive system is a harsh terrain," he says.
Maslen agrees that probiotics are essential to gut health and says she recommends Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG).
"While there are hundreds of probiotics out there, LGG is one of the most widely available and best researched when it comes to gut health. It can help to restore a damaged microbiome and can also support gut immunity," she tells Best Life. "It is important to note that each probiotic strain has different health effects."
She also recommends Saccharomyces Boulardii (SB), a type of yeast-derived probiotic: "It is extensively researched and has been found to help with diarrhea, IBS, and gut immunity. If you have food intolerances, are prone to gastro and other bugs, or your bowel movements are irregular, then SB may be beneficial."
2. Prebiotics
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Prebiotics are another supplement that can benefit your gut health by providing a source of food for your gut's good bacteria.
In particular, Maslen recommends taking partially hydrolyzed guar gum (PHGG). "This prebiotic fiber helps to increase bifidobacteria species in the large intestine and has been found to help all types of IBS, constipation, and general gut health," she says.
3. Licorice root
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Licorice root is known to promote a healthy gut microbiome and increase mucus production to protect the stomach lining.
"Licorice can reduce gastrointestinal inflammation, help to heal gut membranes, and there's evidence that it can heal gastric ulcers," says Maslen, adding that it can be taken as a tea, in capsule form, or as a chewable gummy.
4. Slippery elm
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Next, Maslen recommends slippery elm, a powder made from the bark of a tree that's long been used as a traditional remedy for gut issues. "It helps to soothe irritated digestive membranes and also works as a prebiotic, supporting healthy gut flora," she says.
The Mount Sinai Health Library adds that slippery elm contains antioxidants that may help reduce inflammation, as well as mucilage, "a substance that becomes a slick gel when mixed with water." As it coats the digestive tract, this helps to relieve irritation of the mucus membranes and increases mucus secretion. "The increased mucus production may protect the gastrointestinal tract against ulcers and excess acidity," their experts write.
Gioffre next recommends taking magnesium, which he says can have far-reaching effects on the body beyond the gut.
"Magnesium is perhaps the most important mineral and nutrient in your body. It is crucial for healthy energy levels, to keep us calm and relaxed, for a healthy heart [and] cardiovascular system, and most importantly, serving as a powerful neutralizer of acid," he says.
One way that magnesium can aid in digestion and gut health is by activating and regulating the digestive enzymes responsible for breaking down food and absorbing nutrients. Furthermore, it helps to remove your gut's "bad" bacteria, which can help stabilize the microbiome.
6. Omega-3 fatty acids
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According to Gioffre, one of the most important factors influencing your gut health is your Omega 3 to Omega 6 ratio. By consuming more Omega 3 fatty acids, either through your diet or supplementation, you can enhance the diversity of good bacteria in the gut. However, the benefits don't stop there.
"A diet high in Omega-3 fatty acids can benefit heart health and reduced risk of heart disease, mental health, and brain function (especially as we age), aid in prevention of autoimmune diseases, lower risk of breast and colorectal cancers, support bone and joint health, decreased risk of arthritis, and more," Gioffre says.
However, experts from Harvard Health Publishing say that Omega 6's are not the enemy. One meta-analysis of six randomized trials found that when used as a replacement for saturated fats, they reduced the risk of heart attacks and other coronary events by 24 percent.
Instead, strive to prioritize healthy Omega 3s and treat Omega 6s as a replacement for less healthy alternatives.
7. Glutamine
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Finally, Maslen recommends taking glutamine, a nonessential amino acid that's both found in food and produced by the body.
"Among the various tissues using glutamine at high rates, the intestine utilizes about 30 percent of total glutamine, indicating that it is a key nutrient for the intestine," explains a 2017 study published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences. "Its functions include maintaining nucleotide metabolism and intestinal barrier function, modulation of inflammation, and regulating stress responses and apoptosis," the study states, using the scientific term for cell death.
"At high doses, it has been shown to help support mucosal health and reduce intestinal permeability (leaky gut)," adds Maslen. "It also has positive impacts on the gut microbiome."
Speak with your doctor before beginning any new supplement regimen.
Best Life offers the most up-to-date information from top experts, new research, and health agencies, but our content is not meant to be a substitute for professional guidance. When it comes to the medication you're taking or any other health questions you have, always consult your healthcare provider directly.
Beverly Hills, 90210 first aired in 1990—yes, 34 years ago—which seems like a crazy long time until you realize the show might as well have been set in Victorian times compared to how teenagers live today. Landlines, renting movies on VHS, no cell phones, no texting, no social media, no Googling, no taking pictures all day long, no selfies, no TikTok, no influencers, and no streaming. You watched a TV show when it aired and if you missed it, too bad. You used a camera, and took photos on special occasions only. WILD.
Anyway, while deep in the mire of newborn bliss/exhaustion last year, I needed a comfort-viewing distraction to get through the long days and nights. Something fun, something addictive, something that made me feel like I was actually out in the California sunshine right outside my window. Nothing too sad, real, or stressful—in other words, I wanted to watch 20-something actors playing teenagers in one of the richest zip codes in the world. Here’s what I learned after watching 293 episodes and 11 specials.
Ok, hear me out. I know as you get older, actors on screen look younger. But there have been so many jokes over the years about this cast being too old to be playing teenagers. Gabrielle Carteris was 29 in season one (granted, they made her look 50). Tori Spelling was 17, Shannen Doherty was 19, Luke Perry was 23, Ian Ziering was 26, and Jason Priestley was 21. Also, back then people looked older than they were, compared to 20-somethings these days.
2. Brandon Was Insufferable
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Not always! But Brandon was always portrayed as the “good guy”, the hero, the activist, the good twin. Watching some of the storylines as an adult, I couldn’t believe how many times he almost got his father fired or in trouble at work just to make a point about whatever cause he was championing. Your dad needs to pay the mortgage, Bran. Maybe don’t mouth off at his colleagues?
3. Andrea Should Have Gone To Yale
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Andrea giving up Yale made no sense. None. Zilch. She wanted it her whole life, actually got into the school, and then… plot twist! She’d rather stay in Los Angeles. Which makes sense if they wanted to keep Carteris as part of the gang, but her whole teenage mom storyline made no sense. AHN-drea deserved better.
4. Race Relations
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It’s silly to watch a show from almost 40 years ago and judge it through a modern eye, but solving racism through the electric slide was one of the most bonkers things I’ve ever seen. Aside from that, 90210 actually did a pretty good job of touching on racial issues. We want to sympathize with the main characters, so when they show prejudice or racism, it encourages us to look at our own prejudices. For example, Brandon and the high school football team, or the storyline where Donna almost got those kids taken away from their mother because she had to work.
5. Domestic Violence
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Speaking of Donna, her domestic violence storyline with Ray Pruit was sadly only too realistic, especially because she stays with him for a long time despite his behavior. The show did a good job of touching on some of these serious themes without getting entirely too depressing (in the early seasons anyway, some of the stalker storylines later on were silly).
6. Money Troubles
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Money does not buy you happiness. Even though the Walshes live in Beverly Hills, they have significantly less money than their neighbors, which causes envy and insecurity, (especially for Brenda, it seems). Kelly’s mother is an alcoholic. David’s father is a womanizer. Donna’s mother is insane. No one’s life is perfect.
7. Steve Was a Delight
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Steve was the only one who acted like an actual teenager. His good moments, bad moments, silly moments all felt genuine for a 17-year-old in high school. He wasn’t afraid to cry, and he had a good heart. Justice for Steve!
8. Jim and Cindy’s Parenting
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Brandon gets drunk, crashes his car, and ends up in jail. He gets a hug (but they yell at Brenda!). Brenda lies to her parents all summer and… they send her to Paris. Brenda is almost an adult, but they ban her from seeing her boyfriend, who is also practically one of the family at this point. They blame Dylan for Brenda’s behavior. They tell their kids only one can go to college out of state, setting up some sort of Hunger Games craziness between the twins. Jim turns a blind eye to Brandon’s many girlfriends, but flips out about Brenda doing the same. Not cool Jim. Not cool then, and not cool now.
9. Donna Martin Graduates!
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Why did Donna not stay in the hotel until she was over the worst of her drunkenness? Why did her friends walk her through the lobby where she was sure to be seen by someone? Luckily no one had any common sense that night because it led to one of the most iconic episodes—and chants—ever. Donna Martin Graduates! It’s even funnier on the rewatch.
10. We Had It So Good
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The ’90s were a golden age of television, especially shows for teens. Beverly Hills, 90210 tackled many worthy issues, sometimes heavy-handedly, but always with good intentions. With so much heaviness in the world, it’s nice to escape to a time where if you left the house, no one could reach you. Your parents had no idea where you were! You could even go to Mexico and only get caught when you lose your passport and be stopped at the border coming home (nice work, Brenda). The Peach Pit, the beach house, the Walsh residence, the 90s fashions and slang, the Beverly Blaze, David’s Vanilla Ice act, Brenda’s French accent, the new characters, the ones we will never see again, all are immortal for a reason. RIP Brenda, Dylan, Stuart, and Nate. We will never forget you.
The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends taking in no more than 2,300 milligrams (mg) of sodium per day. Ideally, they say, you should aim even lower, capping your consumption at 1,500 mg. However, that doesn’t stop the average American from getting much more than they need: 3,500 mg per day. This can have far-reaching consequences for your health.
“Sodium is an electrolyte that helps to regulate water balance in the body and improve water absorption,” explains Raj Dasgupta, MD, a medical reviewer for NCOA and an ABIM quadruple board-certified physician specializing in internal medicine, pulmonology, critical care, and sleep medicine.
However, too much sodium can raise blood pressure, increasing your risk of heart attack and stroke. Dasgupta notes that high-sodium diets can also increase the risk of kidney stones “since a high-sodium diet increases the amount of calcium in urine, which can trigger kidney stones in people who are susceptible.”
There are several ways to reduce your consumption of sodium, says Jennie Stanford, MD, FAAFP, DipABOM, an obesity medicine physician at Drugwatch. She recommends cutting back on processed or canned foods, cooking your own meals rather than dining out, eating plenty of fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables with no added salt, and seasoning your meals with non-salted herbs and spices.
However, it’s also important to recognize the signs that your sodium intake has risen to unhealthy levels. Read on to learn the seven subtle signs that you’re consuming too much sodium, according to doctors.
Frequent urination is one of the most common signs of consuming too much sodium. As Dasgupta explains, your kidneys are working extra hard to clear themselves of excess salt, resulting in more regular trips to the bathroom.
2. Excessive thirst
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You may also experience excessive thirst when you eat too much sodium. You can interpret this as your body’s way of urging you to dilute your salt stores.
“Excess sodium causes the body to crave more water to balance the sodium levels,” explains Meaghan Greenwood, RD, MS, a registered nutritionist and dietitian working with Hourglass Waist.
3. Swelling or bloating
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When you eat too much salt, your body attempts to calibrate the balance between your sodium levels and the amount of fluid in the body. As a result, you may notice swelling or bloating, Dasgupta notes.
Preliminary research has linked high sodium consumption with more frequent and intense headaches. Dasgupta says that reducing sodium consumption may help reverse these effects and make headaches and migraines less likely.
5. High blood pressure
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You may also notice your blood pressure levels climbing as a result of a high-salt diet.
“Sodium is important in regulating fluid balance through the kidneys. It is commonly said that ‘water follows salt,’ meaning that when sodium is consumed in excess, it leads to water retention,” Stanford explains.
“As more water is retained, this can lead to increased blood volume and arterial stress, which can increase blood pressure. Hypertension over time is taxing on the cardiovascular system, leading to higher risks of heart disease, heart attack, peripheral vascular disease, stroke, kidney disease, and other health concerns,” she cautions.
Dasgupta says some people experience changes in their sleep habits when they eat too much sodium. This may take the form of disturbed sleep patterns, reduced REM sleep, or increased wakefulness.
“Salt intake and its effects on sleep have been studied since the 1980s,” Jaclyn Leong, DO, an internist with the Susan Samueli Integrative Health Institute, part of UCI Health, wrote for the California-based academic health system. “If a person is having symptoms of difficulty sleeping associated with decreased REM and increased wakefulness, this could be a clue indicating salt depletion in their diet.”
7. Difficulty breathing
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Having difficulty breathing is a less common but potentially serious sign that you’re consuming too much sodium.
“In extreme cases, fluid retention caused by too much sodium can lead to shortness of breath,” says Greenwood.
This occurs when the heart has to work extra hard to pump increased fluid through the body. If you notice shortness of breath, you should call a doctor or emergency services for assistance.
Ever since the late 90s, low-carb diets—those that drastically limit the number of carbohydrates one consumes—have been at the forefront of the weight-loss industry. Though the Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend that carbohydrates should make up 45 to 65 percent of your total daily calorie intake, a low-carb diet usually means eating 100 grams or less of carbohydrates per day.The theory goes that by pushing your body into a state of ketosis, a metabolic state in which you burn fat instead of glucose, you'll drop more pounds. To enter such a state, people who follow low-carb diets will typically forego added sugars, grains, refined carbohydrates such as those found in cookies or crackers, fruit, some vegetables, and more.
However, a 2023 meta-analysis published in JAMA Network Open has found that not all low-carb foods are created equally when it comes to weight loss. Those researchers reviewed data from three large prospective cohort studies that included over 123,000 subjects and determined that low-carb diets that focused on high-quality macronutrients from healthy plant-based foods were associated with less weight gain. Meanwhile, low-carb diets centered on animal-sourced proteins, fats, or refined carbohydrates were associated with more weight gain.
Read on for the 10 worst low-carb foods when you want to move the needle on the scale.
In general, processed meats are best avoided for your health because they're high in sodium and trans fats—both of which are unhealthy for your heart. Experts say they can also contribute to weight gain despite being low in carbohydrates.
Michelle Routhenstein, MS, RD, CDCES, CDN, a preventive cardiology dietitian at Entirely Nourished, says this is true regardless of type: Sausages made of processed beef, pork, chicken, or turkey can all slow movement on the scale.
"These are low in carbs but high in salt, which can lead to water retention and bloating, potentially hindering weight loss efforts," she explains.
2. Low-carb cookies or crackers
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If you eat low-carb cookies or crackers in the place of more traditional pre-packaged snacks, this may help you lose weight. However, experts note that these are still highly processed and can be labeled misleadingly, leading to slowed progress.
"Although these may be low in carbs, they are often higher in fat and total calories since they often use ground nuts and seeds in them," points out Liz Weinandy, RD, a registered dietitian at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.
She notes that rather than eating low-carb processed foods, it's better to eat healthy carbs from natural sources—for instance, fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains.
"Time and time again, studies show those who eat more plant foods have better health and lower risks for many chronic diseases," the dietitian says. "A better approach would be to lower the amount of ultra-processed carbs," even those that are labeled as being low in carbohydrates.
If you've been on TikTok lately, you may have noticed the viral trend of the "carnivore diet," a restrictive meal plan in which dieters eat only meat and other animal products, such as eggs and dairy. However, experts say that not only is this a heart health hazard, but it may also backfire when it comes to weight loss.
"Fatty red meat, like ribeye steak, contains significant amounts of saturated fat, which can increase insulin resistance and inflammation, thereby hindering progress toward weight loss goals," says Routhenstein.
The dietitian notes that deli meats are also poor additions to your weight loss diet: "Processed meats like salami are high in saturated fats, sodium, and preservatives, which can contribute to weight gain and cardiovascular problems."
4. Low-carb cocktails and beer
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When you want to lose weight, it's a good idea to cut back on your alcohol consumption. But simply switching to low-carb cocktails or beer at your previous volume is unlikely to yield the results you're after.
"Even low-carb alcohol still has calories in it, and these can add up," says Weinandy, noting that alcohol slows down the metabolism. "Most beverages with calories, if consumed regularly, can thwart weight loss efforts. This is why water and calorie-free tea and coffee is recommended over any sugary beverage."
When you're following a low-carb diet, it's best to reach for high-quality oils and fats to cook with—for instance, extra virgin olive oil.
"Butter, although it doesn't contain carbs, is calorically dense and high in saturated fat, which can impede weight loss goals by contributing to excess calorie intake," says Routhenstein.
6. Cheese
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Most types of cheese contain few or no carbs—but that doesn't mean they'll necessarily result in weight loss.
For instance, cream cheese—despite being low in carbs—is rich in saturated fats and calories. "Excessive consumption of cream cheese may lead to weight gain and negatively affect heart health," warns Routhenstein.
Condiments are often a hidden source of calories—which is why they can easily sabotage your weight loss goals if not portioned out carefully.
"Just one tablespoon of mayonnaise, about the size of your thumb from the tip to where it meets your palm, is 100 calories," notes Weinandy. "It's easy to use two to three tablespoons on a single sandwich. Low-carb? Yes. Low calorie? No!"
8. Whipped cream
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Whipped cream contains only 1.75 grams of carbohydrates per quarter cup, yet Routhenstein warns against it.
"Whipped cream is low in carbs but high in saturated fats and sugars, which can lead to weight gain and increased risk of heart disease when consumed in excess," she says.
9. Nuts and seeds
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Nuts and seeds can be a nutrient-dense snack that helps keep you fuller for longer. However, they're also calorie-dense—and this can lead to weight gain if you don't consider portion control.
"Nuts and seeds are powerhouses of nutrients, containing many different micronutrients such as magnesium, zinc, selenium, and fiber. However, they are high in fat and calories, too," says Weinandy.
She notes that though nuts contain healthy, monounsaturated fats, including Omega-3 fatty acids, the calories will still add up and can prevent weight loss.
10. Artificial sweeteners
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Though it's a good idea to minimize sugar on any diet plan, some experts say that replacing it with artificial sweeteners can backfire.
"Research is mixed on sugar substitutes, with some studies showing they can help with weight loss and others showing no benefit or even worse—that they may increase appetite. There may even be a larger negative to using these, though. There is concern they may negatively affect the gut microbiome, and over time, this can affect many aspects of our health," warns Weinandy.